Trends in Why Americans Delayed Dental Care From Pre-Pandemic to the COVID-19 Era: Implications for Aging and Oral Public Health.

OBJECTIVES

To describe age-group differences in inability to afford dental treatment and cost related dental delay, among the US community-dwelling population.

STUDY

DESIGN

Descriptive analysis of nationally representative survey data.

METHODS

Using nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2018-2021), we examined trends in inability to afford dental treatment and cost-related dental treatment delays across four age groups (2-17, 18-39, 40-64, ≥65 years). Weighted analyses accounted for the complex survey design; statistical significance was set at p<0.001.

RESULTS

Cost-related delays declined modestly from 2018 to 2021 but remained most prevalent among adults aged 40-64 (4.8% for ages 40-64, 3.4% for ages 18-64, 2.2% for ages≥65 in 2021; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Middle-aged adults seem to experience delays due to cost, underscoring the need for dental coverage to expand dental coverage for this group and to reduce their out-of-pocket costs.